Low Dose Oral Minoxidil vs Topical Minoxidil for Androgenetic Alopecia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
September 2025
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”

TLDR Low-dose oral minoxidil may be a promising alternative to topical minoxidil for hair loss.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of low-dose oral minoxidil compared to topical minoxidil in treating androgenetic alopecia. The study aimed to determine which form of minoxidil is more effective in increasing hair density. While low-dose oral minoxidil is considered a promising off-label alternative, the research sought to establish its efficacy and safety relative to the FDA-approved topical version. The findings contribute to understanding the potential of oral minoxidil as a treatment option for androgenetic alopecia, although specific results and participant numbers were not detailed in the summary provided.